Fall is mushroom season, and at Bob's Red Mill, it's one of our favorite times of the year, especially for cooking warm and savory mushroom dishes. These forest-grown fungi are the main ingredients in many classic fall recipes. During autumn, they can be found fresh in grocery stores and farmer's markets, making them the perfect addition to your favorite dishes.Aside from being delicious, mushrooms are incredibly versatile. They work well when added to classic Italian pasta dishes like spaghetti and can even be used as the main ingredient in Japanese-inspired soups. No matter what savory dish you add mushrooms to, it's bound to result in a masterpiece. This health-boosting fungus is also an essential part of creating warm, tasty dishes perfect for chilly afternoons and evenings. Keep scrolling to learn more about how and why you should incorporate mushrooms into your meals and discover a few of our favorite mushroom recipes to get you started.
The Benefits of Mushrooms
This flavor-packed fungus has some pretty great health benefits. You'll be met with pages outlining mushrooms spectacular healing properties by doing a quick google search. To save you some time, we went ahead and researched for you. Below you'll find an overview of a few of the many health benefits mushrooms provide, from high amounts of vitamin D, to helping you meet your daily recommended fiber requirement. Mushrooms are an essential part of a healthy diet and can be added to many of the recipes you make weekly.
Mushrooms Are an Excellent Source of Vitamin D
While adequate vitamin D levels can be achieved by getting a proper amount of sunshine throughout the week, there may be times when you're running low and need to supplement with food sources. While vitamin D is found in various foods, it's most commonly found in animal products, and it can be challenging for vegans to find fruits and vegetables high in this critical nutrient. Fatty fishes and dairy products are the primary source of food-based vitamin D, however, mushrooms give these foods a run for their money.Mushrooms contain large amounts of vitamin D naturally, and just a 3.5 ounce serving of them can provide you with 50 to 100 percent of your daily dose. So, how do mushrooms make vitamin D? Much like humans do. Mushrooms produce vitamin D when they're exposed to UV light. This being, we recommend purchasing fresh mushrooms grown in your state or found at a local farmers market to ensure that you meet your vitamin D requirements.
Mushrooms Are Loaded with Dietary Fiber
Though you may not know them as such, mushrooms are a high carb food. In fact, most mushroom varieties are at least 50% carbs. While carbs tend to get a bad rap in the health and fitness world, good carbs, also known as complex carbs, are great for you and a necessary part of a well-balanced diet. A mushroom's cells are made up of non-digestible carbohydrates, which we often call dietary fiber. That fiber is used to fuel the healthy microbes in your gut, ensuring that your digestive system works properly.
Mushrooms Contain Many Essential Nutrients
In addition to vitamin D and fiber, mushrooms are packed with other essential nutrients like selenium, copper, potassium, niacin and phosphorus, all of which are important for your health. While raw mushrooms are nutritious, cooking mushrooms gives this superfood even more superpowers by helping them release these nutrients.Curious to know how you can begin adding mushrooms to your meals? Keep reading to discover a few of our favorite mushroom-packed recipes.
Light Mushroom-Based Meals
Fall meals are full of flavor. However, they can often be quite filling. If you're searching for a fall-inspired dish that won't leave you feeling too full afterward, try out these refreshing, tasty and light mushroom recipes that will give you the perfect amount of food-fueled satisfaction.
Sesame Shrimp Millet and Quinoa Grain Bowl
An Asian-inspired grain bowl recipe, this light lunch or dinner entree features an abundance of superfood ingredients that will leave you feeling just as great as it tastes. Loaded with wholegrain quinoa, millet and topped with grilled shrimp, this dish is perfect for any weekday meal. The mixture is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and sriracha that ignites all of the senses. Topped with spinach, edamame, cucumber, avocado, broccoli and delicious watermelon radish, the festive blend of ingredients adds both color and nutrients to a delightful grain bowl your entire family will enjoy.
Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a classic side dish and it's no secret why this meal is loved by so many. When made with the perfect recipe, it's comfort food heaven. To make a green bean casserole your family will come running to the table for, try out this dairy and gluten free green bean casserole. Made with chickpea flour to create the perfect creamy goodness, it's a vegetarian treat fit to bring to your next holiday gathering.
Whole Wheat Baked Egg Tarts
For a light appetizer that is easy to accommodate various taste preferences, try making these Whole Wheat Baked Egg Tarts. These tarts are made with a whole wheat flour crust savory enough to enjoy as breakfast, brunch or a before-dinner treat.
Savory Mushroom-Based Meals
Suppose you've tested out some light recipes with mushroom and are seeking something a bit more savory. Then we have a few more recipes you may enjoy trying. Savory treats are a seasonal favorite as they bring all of the best ingredients of fall together. Keep scrolling to discover some of our favorite mushroom-inspired recipes that will warm your table and your belly.
Savory Fall Tart
This Savory Fall Tart is one classic recipe you won't want to leave out of your meal plan. Best enjoyed the day of this recipe's ingredients can be prepared early in the day for a savory dinner time treat that is perfectly warmed once it hits the dinner table. A combination of fall vegetables, cheese, mushrooms and sage form a bold flavor combination that even picky eaters will enjoy. Plus, it highlights fall herbs, which is always an added bonus in our book!
Easy Chickpea Flatbread with Vegetables
This crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside flatbread is the perfect savory dish to surprise your dinner guests. It's a delectable lunch or dinner recipe that you can feel good about, created with fresh seasonal produce and nutrient-rich mushrooms. Plus, it's easy to prepare and can be made in just under an hour. That means less time spent in the kitchen and more time spent mingling with guests.
Swiss Chard Mushroom Popover Bake
Unlike most popover recipes, this Swiss Chard Mushroom Popover Bake recipe only yields one popover. However, you won't be disappointed as it's a large popover that can be sliced into several servings. Gluten free, low carb, low sugar and vegetarian, it is the ideal veggie-based dish to serve up when you plan on accommodating multiple dietary restrictions.
Filling Mushroom-Based Meals
Now that we've covered both light and savory fall mushroom recipes, it's time to talk about the main course of the night: filling mushroom-based meals that will leave your guest happy and satisfied. Here are a few of our favorite dishes that are sure to steal the show.
Vegan Quinoa Mushroom Risotto
A hearty vegan risotto that's perfect for fall, this delicious meal is easy to prepare and the epitome of classic Italian comfort food. To make this recipe truly shine, we recommend using homemade cashew milk to create the creamy base. To make, blend one cup of whole cashews and one cup of water until smooth. Voila!
Shepherds Pie
If you have yet to try shepherds pie, then you're missing out. A flavorful and filling comfort food, this traditional shepherds pie dish is made with ground lamb, seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, cheddar cheese and topped with a creamy layer of mashed potatoes made with our Potato Flakes. To quickly turn this shepherd's pie into a cottage pie, sub in ground beef for lamb. We're confident you won't be disappointed.
Squash and Mushroom Barley Risotto
Rich, earthy and oh-so-delicious, this Squash and Mushroom Risotto is made with oyster mushrooms, shallots and garlic, creating an entree that's sure to leave a lasting impression. Pearl barley replaces traditional arborio rice in this recipe and offers the dish a more mild and nutty flavor paired with both sweet and savory sides.Remember, sneaking mushrooms into your favorite recipes is as easy as ever! Whether you choose to make one of the recipes on this list or work our favorite fungi into a preloved recipe of your own, we know that whatever you come up with will be delicious.Have a mushroom-based recipe that you enjoy making? We'd love to hear about it. Share your favorite mushroom recipe with us in the comments below.